Alex here, all good thanks to everyone who asked! Small infraction in my shoulder and wrist, many bruises but already out and riding! Hank was indeed great and kind of made my day, sharing the road until that point and helping me when I went down. See you at the next one mate
Yep... tells us all about the sort of bloke you are. Even though there was another rider on scene, you stayed. And BTW... that was some painful looking road rash eh!
9:21 Thank you for taking time in this video to emphasize what is important in life-taking care of each other. This weekend, a competitive cyclist by the name of Jake Boykin in our local riding group was on a ride before heading to Six Gap in Georgia. Unfortunately, he was struck and killed by a drunk driver. While I didn’t know him well, I am saddened that on my next group ride, there will be one less kind soul riding with us. At Six Gap, I understand that his friend who were racing were allowed to check him in, that the race organizers held a memorial for him at the start of the race, and that his number was on an event car that rode the full route. Races come and go. Friendships and being kind and good to all is what matters.
Great race, seems like you had some proper fun. Camera shots were amazing, great movement, great editing. What you said back there... "Take care of your friends, races come and go" honestly made my day. 🙏 I just hope Alex recovers quickly. Cheers mate 🍻
Took part in the Penn Grinduro - and it's proper fun. Take it as seriously as you like, knowing that you WILL have the wrong bike at some point. Just make sure you set your tent up far from the village "snor-cerer."
Well done, Hankster Monster! The single track riding scenes were so thrilling but the most meaningful takeaway was that small reminder about taking care of friends because races just come and go. Another great video. Big up, GCN and Grinduro 2023! 😊
Love to see you embracing the dirt. Biking is beautiful regardless of terrain. Of course it helps that the Tuscan terrain is absolutely brilliant. Thanks!
makes me think of the harsh atmosphere in european road cycling circus in the nineties, where you got cheated, lied to, sabotaged and kicked of the road quiet often because everbody was racing with no mercy and a knive between the teeth for litarally nothing. even in local championships and club races your own teammates prefered to sabotage you in one way or another and or help you crash hard if it meant it enabled them to beat you on a stupid piece of paper. awesome video, makes me want to experience this beautifull gravel race in bella italia. great job hank and gcn crew.
Every year every show is better and better. We really become connected to all the presenters. Like Manon on her harsh ride and now stoping for a bud ...... awesome people!
'Old dog' and was not born in 1983 yet... Suure!:) What a series of events it is so far already! Megavalanche now this. Well done and again really enjoyed!
I am glad you took the time to do the right thing in this one Hank - a lot of people forget what the right thing is when a race is on, and reminding us all of that is important.
Great video! For Hank, it was a race for survival: the air temperature was + 45, the black jersey was on and there was no water flask at all. As for me ,in that event, a small lemon always helped me out with a couple sips of water. It was also good to pour some water on the top of my head, right on the white cap.
Love this concept for a gravel race! Great job and spirit Hank! Remarkable results, even more remarkable character! Races do 'come & go' but take care of people first! Super job Hank and amazing job by the filming/ editing crew!
Couple of comments : 1) I want to be Hank's friend, what a legend! 2) This makes me desperately want a gravel bike, routes to ride and friends to ride with!
Timing a small fraction of the race is a nice idea. Including a large fraction of downhills in the small portion of the route that you are timing is asking for troubles from the event organizers.
not bad at all for the first gravel race. The format is very appealing, imho, where you can bike at leisure most of the time and try to do your best in selected segments. On a different note, hope Alex makes a full recovery soon to be ready for the next.
I’m guessing Hank calls it Grin-duro because he was grinning the whole time (except for the crash part). Grinduro was started in Quincy California as a combination of a gravel grinder and MX enduro race, thus Grind-uro. Great video and props to Hank for prioritizing friends over results.
Really nice race, but even better message about friends. Hank should race next February in Transcordilleras, an 8 stages self-sufficient gravel race through the Andes mountains in Colombia, he will love it too. Greetings from Colombia ✌🏽
Hank should do more gravel racing such skill should not be left unnoticed. Nice vid... slow mo..over head... don't even know if it is edited or just plain filming.💥👍✌️
Respect Hank! Proper skills and bottle on those single track sections. Shows what sort on fun you can have on a gravel bike. I'm just back and buzzing from a Velo29 gravel event this afternoon on the North Yorkshire moors. Different weather, and no dad dancing (😄) but a real barrel full of type 2 fun for sure. Italy... definitely a 'Super Nice', but yeah there's some wonderful stuff going on at home too.
How can you be racing and still get some of the most cinematic shots I've seen in cycling videos? I'm guessing advance crews setting up 360 degree cameras at likely dramatic points. Whatever it was, the GCN team did some great work on this one.
Last race I was Woah, then woah, and then WOOOAH. This race I was greeted by “LEEEROY JEENKINS!” A classic move, that ends as one might suspect. But then the unexpected happened! Always entertaining, with DoomGuy as he does things only DoomGuy can do! Look forward to what looks to be new DoomGuy tech added.
Can’t believe they wouldn’t allow you to retry the section after seeing someone crash. Most race orgs allow this as it promotes good sportsmanship and actually stopping for people.
Very cool, I live just up the coast from there and ride similar stuff on my mtb. Respect for stopping, cyclists here are really good at helping each other out when in need too, it’s a cracking culture across every discipline. That beer you were drinking by the way is from Sicily and contains sea salt, it’s one of my favourite brands, birra Messina. Glad you enjoyed it.
This can't be the coolest gravel race if you were baking in the heat. :DDDDD Anyways great sportmanship from Hank for not only stopping for Alex but spending 25 minutes with him, kudos!
Thanks for this. That is absolutely one I want to do next year. As Hank says, with it being a transition/segment event, that's my perfect race. Oh, and in Italy with pizza/beer/music.
Loved this. I’ve been lucky enough to do Grinduro in Wales twice (although only half of the second one 🤦🏻♂️) but it really is a great event. Very well run and very challenging. Thought the film was ace, some brilliant camera work and a great result Hank 👍
I would Love to see Hank Tackle Norway I Know its mountainous terrain but Hank can Handle anything, It Would also be very interesting to see him Equipped with an Electric Mountain/Gravel Bike This is something I Would Love to do Myself . Norway is Expensive and What Better Way to do it than on a Bike@@gcn
Alex's (Alessio's) crash looked horrible, but it also looked like it's not gonna put him off riding. I wish him a speedy recovery. Tao Quemere did one heck of a ride; about a minute faster on the hill climb than everyone else.
![The Very Best of Our Epic Gravel Rides [2+ Hour Compilation]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vhO1WYiaUkY/mqdefault.jpg)
Alex here, all good thanks to everyone who asked! Small infraction in my shoulder and wrist, many bruises but already out and riding! Hank was indeed great and kind of made my day, sharing the road until that point and helping me when I went down. See you at the next one mate
Alex, that was some scarily impressive gravel rash. Glad to hear you are back on the bike already. Recover well, my friend.
Thanks for looking after Hank Alex! We know he's a handful 😂 Rest up and recover, that crash looked nasty!!
Great news! Ride safe!
Definitely looked a bit sore that.... will be a scar to wear with pride I reckon. Good to hear you're back up and at it already 👊
@gcn I think Alex has earned himself one of the GCN Limited edition water bottles - the hard way.
Wow. “Must take care of your friends, races come and go” . Great my man. Quote of the day ❤
Have to look out for each other. Your a great man for helping others.
Lance wouldn't have stopped ...
Yep... tells us all about the sort of bloke you are. Even though there was another rider on scene, you stayed. And BTW... that was some painful looking road rash eh!
1000%
👌
9:21 Thank you for taking time in this video to emphasize what is important in life-taking care of each other. This weekend, a competitive cyclist by the name of Jake Boykin in our local riding group was on a ride before heading to Six Gap in Georgia. Unfortunately, he was struck and killed by a drunk driver. While I didn’t know him well, I am saddened that on my next group ride, there will be one less kind soul riding with us. At Six Gap, I understand that his friend who were racing were allowed to check him in, that the race organizers held a memorial for him at the start of the race, and that his number was on an event car that rode the full route. Races come and go. Friendships and being kind and good to all is what matters.
"Take care of your friends, races come and go" ........ Perfectly Said !!!!! Respect ..... Excelent Ride
The filming and editing during those two wood sections were inspiring. Love it.
Especially those chase angles. Epic stuff
Thanks so much!
Inspiring to what?
There are very few events and race designed specifically with Hank in mind… This one was maximum Hank. Perfecto!
Maximum Hank >
Great race, seems like you had some proper fun. Camera shots were amazing, great movement, great editing. What you said back there... "Take care of your friends, races come and go" honestly made my day. 🙏 I just hope Alex recovers quickly. Cheers mate 🍻
Glad you enjoyed it! What other events should we do??
Of course you stopped to help. There's nothing else to do under those circumstances! Can we get an update on Alex please!
The got to take of your friends attitude speaks volumes about Hank’s character. He would be welcome to ride with me any day.
He's a good egg ❤️
Excellent work, Son-of-Hank's Dad!!! Impressive riding also. But the segment from 8:42- 9:20 brought tears to my eyes. Well done!!!
Thanks so much!
The production quality on GCN vids these days is off the charts, as always great job by the crew and looks like Hank had a cracking time.
Glad you enjoyed it, that means a lot! For some more epic endurance racing, why not check out 'GBDURO' on GCN+ 👉 gcn.eu/GBDURO
Took part in the Penn Grinduro - and it's proper fun. Take it as seriously as you like, knowing that you WILL have the wrong bike at some point. Just make sure you set your tent up far from the village "snor-cerer."
Well done, Hankster Monster! The single track riding scenes were so thrilling but the most meaningful takeaway was that small reminder about taking care of friends because races just come and go. Another great video. Big up, GCN and Grinduro 2023! 😊
Thanks a lot! For some more epic endurance racing. Check out 'GBDURO' on GCN+ 👉 gcn.eu/GBDURO
So happy to see Hank stop for Alex. Way to show how it’s done! Good man! Wishing Alex a speedy recovery.
Love to see you embracing the dirt. Biking is beautiful regardless of terrain. Of course it helps that the Tuscan terrain is absolutely brilliant. Thanks!
Who doesn't love riding in Tuscany 🙌
Amazing shots of the single track. Great follow camera man 👏
Seeing Alex's shoulder. Ouch! Hope nothing's broken and he heals quickly and completely.
Alex is a trooper! That was some fall 👀We've pinned a comment from Alex to this video ☝
That crash was awful, I hope Alex mends up quickly
Best video on TH-cam I've ever watched. Stopping to help a downed rider...priceless
makes me think of the harsh atmosphere in european road cycling circus in the nineties, where you got cheated, lied to, sabotaged and kicked of the road quiet often because everbody was racing with no mercy and a knive between the teeth for litarally nothing. even in local championships and club races your own teammates prefered to sabotage you in one way or another and or help you crash hard if it meant it enabled them to beat you on a stupid piece of paper. awesome video, makes me want to experience this beautifull gravel race in bella italia. great job hank and gcn crew.
Every year every show is better and better.
We really become connected to all the presenters. Like Manon on her harsh ride and now stoping for a bud ...... awesome people!
Glad you are enjoying our videos! We've got some great presenters in the team 🙌 Where should we send Hank next?
'Old dog' and was not born in 1983 yet... Suure!:) What a series of events it is so far already! Megavalanche now this. Well done and again really enjoyed!
For some more epic riding with Hank, why not check out 'The longest descent' on GCN+ 👉 gcn.eu/Chile1
Well done! Epic!
And hats off for stopping to attend to Alessio!
I am glad you took the time to do the right thing in this one Hank - a lot of people forget what the right thing is when a race is on, and reminding us all of that is important.
Stops for fellow cyclists without hesitation. This is why we love hank. Truly an inspirational 👏
Would you want to see anyone else on the side of the trail!? 🙌
I vote Hank as GCN president. 👍🏻
Great video! For Hank, it was a race for survival: the air temperature was + 45, the black jersey was on and there was no water flask at all. As for me ,in that event, a small lemon always helped me out with a couple sips of water. It was also good to pour some water on the top of my head, right on the white cap.
Love this concept for a gravel race! Great job and spirit Hank! Remarkable results, even more remarkable character! Races do 'come & go' but take care of people first! Super job Hank and amazing job by the filming/ editing crew!
Good of you to stop and help a fellow rider out. There is always other races.
Good sportsmanship Hank - you win a shared 1st price for that one 🙃👍
the camera work is absolutely incredible! especially the single track bit. loved it. well done hank!
I love the enduro mountain biking format. Really cool applying it to gravel!
What event should Hank do next? 🚵 Let us know in the comments below! 👇
Grinduro in Hakuba, Japan. It happens on October 7-9, 2023. It would be such a treat to see GCN cover a Japanese gravel race. ❤
Well now that he said he was considering the Tour Divide...
A Scandinavian event would be awesome 😊
An Ironman / triathlon with GTN 😊
Great movie. Maybe the Drenthe200 in the Netherlands in December of this year. This is one proper race😬
don't know what Hank gets paid but it isn't enough. Literally up for anything with an amazing attitude to boot.
He's a proper trooper! You should check his epic Chilean adventure out on GCN+ in 'The longest descent' 👉 gcn.eu/Chile1
Awesome video guys! Hank you legend for staying with your fallen mate while the race was on. 🤟
Woooow the filming and editing on this one is crazy!!!! Chapeau
This and your Himalayan adventure have to be my favorite videos you’ve done. Campy, Italy and great content, you nailed it.
If your not a die hard racer just skip this one and go to the Tuscany Trail. Much more relaxed, you'll see more of the area.
Good sportsmanship is a winner in my book, hope Alex is back on his bike soon. You needs some armour for the descents.
I just love Hanks videos, he's absolutely a big champ! Some really good shots and music! Keep up the good work
Hope Alex is doing well! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Couple of comments :
1) I want to be Hank's friend, what a legend!
2) This makes me desperately want a gravel bike, routes to ride and friends to ride with!
Timing a small fraction of the race is a nice idea. Including a large fraction of downhills in the small portion of the route that you are timing is asking for troubles from the event organizers.
Completly
Sounds like my kind of race!
Lovely scenery, fabulous video James, exemplary camaraderie, cheers from Canada
Next welcome Finland, gravel race called Luonteri Pyöräily.
I'm already looking at how I can join Grinduro next year. This looks so good
Bravo Hank, sei una stella!
Oh Hank! Top bloke on and off the bike!
Well done for taking care of your fellow rider!
Another great GCN film, glad Alex was ok. It just needed Blake to ride along with Hank to make another epic ride.
Talk about great sportsmanship… all in the spirit of gravel! 👍🏻 what an amazing event and even better you were not using Shitmano!
not bad at all for the first gravel race. The format is very appealing, imho, where you can bike at leisure most of the time and try to do your best in selected segments. On a different note, hope Alex makes a full recovery soon to be ready for the next.
When I look at stages 1, 2, 3 and 4 I know why I ride an MTB and not a gravel bike, it is so much more fun 😁 I hope Alex gets well soon.
I’m guessing Hank calls it Grin-duro because he was grinning the whole time (except for the crash part). Grinduro was started in Quincy California as a combination of a gravel grinder and MX enduro race, thus Grind-uro. Great video and props to Hank for prioritizing friends over results.
We like the GRIN-duro pronunciation way more... grins are definitely way better!
You smashed it!! Id love to see some metrics like speed, watts and bpm in those race sections. Must be epic!
Awesome video and great example Hank to just be a good human at the end of the day!
Really nice race, but even better message about friends. Hank should race next February in Transcordilleras, an 8 stages self-sufficient gravel race through the Andes mountains in Colombia, he will love it too. Greetings from Colombia ✌🏽
Oh man. Can't lie. I'd burst into tears if I crashed like that. Hahaha. What a trooper, Alex.
Brilliant scenery
Hank should do more gravel racing such skill should not be left unnoticed. Nice vid... slow mo..over head... don't even know if it is edited or just plain filming.💥👍✌️
Respect Hank! Proper skills and bottle on those single track sections. Shows what sort on fun you can have on a gravel bike.
I'm just back and buzzing from a Velo29 gravel event this afternoon on the North Yorkshire moors. Different weather, and no dad dancing (😄) but a real barrel full of type 2 fun for sure. Italy... definitely a 'Super Nice', but yeah there's some wonderful stuff going on at home too.
Sounds like a great event! Gravel racing certainly has its fun side 🙌 Would you ever enter Grinduro?
@@gcn possibly.... but I think I'm more about the endurance (*lite*) than the adrenaline thing! Grinder / audax / touring things 💚
Awesome race video! 10:36, you went into that cross wash hot! Impressive!
Nice one, Hank and thanks for hanging out at Grinduro Italia. This video is full some epic views! Take us back to Italia! 🤩
Thanks for putting on the event 🙌 We loved it, when's the next one? 🌎
@@gcn we're just working on that now - dates for Grinduro 2024 will be announced early November.
What’s the point in making a timed downhill segment? Just waiting for a disaster.
How can you be racing and still get some of the most cinematic shots I've seen in cycling videos? I'm guessing advance crews setting up 360 degree cameras at likely dramatic points. Whatever it was, the GCN team did some great work on this one.
Thanks so much!
Great performance and an even greater attitude towards friends.
Go Hank! Great riding, the single track was crazy and great.
Last race I was Woah, then woah, and then WOOOAH. This race I was greeted by “LEEEROY JEENKINS!” A classic move, that ends as one might suspect. But then the unexpected happened! Always entertaining, with DoomGuy as he does things only DoomGuy can do! Look forward to what looks to be new DoomGuy tech added.
Can’t believe they wouldn’t allow you to retry the section after seeing someone crash. Most race orgs allow this as it promotes good sportsmanship and actually stopping for people.
Great shots/filming in the downhill single-track and forest! kudos! cheers!
Respect for your fair play
Grinduro Wales in July is the best organised sporting event I have taken part in. Absolutely love it.
How did your race go?
@@gcn I came last but loved it. It is more of a party than a race :-)
Hank the tank!!! Stunning video. I think Hank should participate next year wifh Blake by his side! On Nukeproof diggers!
Not a bad shout!
Big smile, big heart, James. ❤ Is Alex-Alessio all right?
Rad trip, Rad edit, Rad bike set-up 🤘
Very cool, I live just up the coast from there and ride similar stuff on my mtb. Respect for stopping, cyclists here are really good at helping each other out when in need too, it’s a cracking culture across every discipline.
That beer you were drinking by the way is from Sicily and contains sea salt, it’s one of my favourite brands, birra Messina. Glad you enjoyed it.
You live in a great area! Some epic riding around here 🙌 The beer isn't bad either 🍻
That beer in the sunset though. . .😊
Ride goals 😍
That is one cool race! Nice one Hank!
Fun and time with friends. A brilliant video.
This can't be the coolest gravel race if you were baking in the heat. :DDDDD Anyways great sportmanship from Hank for not only stopping for Alex but spending 25 minutes with him, kudos!
Thanks for this. That is absolutely one I want to do next year. As Hank says, with it being a transition/segment event, that's my perfect race. Oh, and in Italy with pizza/beer/music.
What more could you want from a race! We can't wait to head back... who should go next time? 👀
@@gcn There could be as many as 10 in our group, why not bring the whole GCN crew and make a party of it?
Loved this. I’ve been lucky enough to do Grinduro in Wales twice (although only half of the second one 🤦🏻♂️) but it really is a great event. Very well run and very challenging. Thought the film was ace, some brilliant camera work and a great result Hank 👍
Maybe we should check out Grinduro Wales 👀 What other presenter should Hank take with him?
@@gcn I think another GMBN vS GCN mash up with Blake 😉
Loved this! And I love Hank’s ethics. Friends first, there will always be another race
Chapeau and kudos for looking after a buddy. Those are hard to come by. Keep riding safe and keep well :-)
Looking after fellow riders is super important 🙌 The good vibes always come back around!
Great fun Hank!
Nasty crash Alex, praying you heal very quickly.
Mom, GCN dropped another Hank race video 🤙
Love this Video ! Good Luck to you Hank on Your Next Adventure . You can certainly do anything
Thanks! Where should we send Hank next?!
Norway would be Amazing@@gcn
I would Love to see Hank Tackle Norway I Know its mountainous terrain but Hank can Handle anything, It Would also be very interesting to see him Equipped with an Electric Mountain/Gravel Bike This is something I Would Love to do Myself . Norway is Expensive and What Better Way to do it than on a Bike@@gcn
7:00 "You can take it easy in the transitions and smash it in the segments." Cut to footage of Hank dancing on the pedals, smashing the transition.
Go Hank!!!
Wow congrats on your epic gravel race.
Amazing intro! 😍
Bro didn't even hesitated to help his newly met friend, what a genuinely great guy
Blistered that single track, strong !
Great job! Looked like some really great trails.
Epic riding for sure! We are itching to get back 👀
The singletrack shots were worthy of Xtreme Corner.
Alex's (Alessio's) crash looked horrible, but it also looked like it's not gonna put him off riding. I wish him a speedy recovery.
Tao Quemere did one heck of a ride; about a minute faster on the hill climb than everyone else.
great bike skills and camera work in the jungle!
Great video, went past way too quickly, hope your mate was ok after his crash x
I did a gravelduro event this spring. It wasn't as cool as this one - but I loved the format.
Well done,Hank! Pretty soon you can join up with Lachy!